31 Indians in stampede toll

Among the dead, 14 were from Uttar Pradesh, four from Andhra Pradesh, three each from Maharashtra and Kerala, two each from MP and Rajasthan and one from West Bengal, he said. Two Indians based in Saudi Arabia were also killed. Minister of state for external affairs E Ahamed said in New Delhi that two persons of a seven-member group which had gone from Uttar Pradesh, survived and helped identify the others. Four members of a five-member group from Hyderabad were reportedly missing and one was alive.

Consul General Sayeed, Consul (Haj) and senior officials of the Indian medical mission visited the injured admitted to various hospitals in Mina. A control room has been set up in the Mina camp for the pilgrims. Ten branch dispensaries and the main hospital in Mecca have been put on high alert and special efforts are on to trace the pilgrims reported as missing.

The Indian Consul in Jeddah is trying to establish contact with the next of the kin of the dead pilgrims and offering all possible assistance in the speedy completion of burial formalities.

Among the dead were at least 30 Pakistanis, stated AFP from Islamabad quoting the Pakistan Foreign ministry. “It’s estimated that maybe about 30 to 35 Pakistanis may have died”, said Foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam. “At the moment our people are visiting the mortuaries and trying to confirm,” she added. Saudi Arabia blamed unruly pilgrims for the crush but many Muslims said better security could have averted the worst disaster to befall the rite in 16 years.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, as well as the kingdom’s Interior minister, also blamed pilgrims who defied rules and carried their belongings with them after ignoring advice to perform the ritual throughout the day.

“It pains that so many people died, but we must point out that security forces averted many more disasters from happening and saved many lives,” state news agency SPA quoted Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz as saying.